The previous Balkan wars were caused by the fact that Balkan ethnic groups did not find promising solutions for their prospects for
the future. The great European and world powers watched the Balkans as
an unstable region which people`s only role was to pay some of the billsfor their imperial ambitions. However, it turned out that the Balkan wars, animosities and hatred became so much uncontrolled and dangerous not just for domestic people but for whole Europe, as well.
History learns us that Europe cannot be stable with unstable Balkans within. Professor Anton Caragea wrote a column couple of years ago, The Western Balkans will make or break the EU
suggesting that united and stable Europe simply is not possible without
united, stable and towards the future-oriented Balkans. In the modern
world Europe cannot play any serious role if any of its global partners
and competirors can easily manipulate with the Balkans and thus destabilize the whole of Europe. Only united and determined Europe can cope with challenges of globalized world.
The Balkans must be a part of united Europe but Europe must understand
the specificities of the Balkans, not just formally absorb it. Otherwise
the Balkans would be the last trigger for complete breakdown of the very idea of united Europe.
All Balkan countries need serious reforms and
modernization. They need resolute political leaderships which would make
a dedicated work on the building of the rule of law, free market
reforms and changing of the value paradigm of their nations: instead of
the destructive idea of the particularity and fragmentation, Balkan nations need to adopt the values of common good and interests.
After Croatia accessed the EU other non-EU Balkan members: Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania should
compose “mini EU” or the Balkan Union based on the very same principles,
rules and laws of the EU. This common market of 18 million people is
much bigger than any of particular markets of these countries. This
Balkan Union should learn these countries and their citizens how to
cooperate, trade and build common rules based on common interests by
respecting each other`s identity. This “school of EU” should show not
just that these Balkan countries can adopt European values but to
provide new quality to the EU as well.
In practice it means that it should be no customs duties between
these countries: people and their goods would cross the borders freely
and without any formal barriers, using just their IDs. Balkan countries
would unify their laws and procedures on the EU basis. Balkan Union
should be an unified economical association. Afterall, their common
interest is the EU and it is much more easier to adopt the EU values and
rules together with others who are in the similar position.
The EU should support and push this process because it is in its own
interest as well. Regular Balkan citizens have every interest to support
it because it is the only way to build better future for them. We must
bring to an end the dark Balkan age and open new, enlightened and prosperous era.
